2 kings 4:1 - Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.”
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What does "2 kings 4:1" mean?
This verse introduces a story in 2 Kings 4, and it sets the scene by highlighting the woman's desperate situation and appealing to Elisha's reputation and compassion. Let's break it down:
"Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets...": This tells us the woman is associated with a prophetic community. Her husband was a member of this group, though deceased. "Sons of the prophets" were likely students or followers of established prophets like Elijah and Elisha. Being the wife of a prophet suggests she was likely accustomed to a life devoted to spiritual pursuits, not necessarily wealth or social power.
"...cried out to Elisha...": This indicates the urgency and desperation of her plea. She is appealing directly to Elisha, who was a well-known and respected prophet at this time (having succeeded Elijah). She believes he has the power and willingness to help her.
"...saying, 'Your servant my husband is dead.'": She begins by stating the obvious but crucial fact: her husband is gone. This immediately establishes her as a widow, a vulnerable status in ancient societies. The phrase "your servant" suggests respect for Elisha and acknowledges her husband's (and potentially her own) association with him and the prophetic community.
"You know that your servant feared Yahweh.": This is a critical part of her appeal. She reminds Elisha that her husband was a God-fearing man, implying that he was righteous and deserving of help. In the context of the Old Testament, fearing Yahweh meant living according to God's laws and demonstrating piety. This establishes the family's moral standing and aims to elicit Elisha's sympathy and assistance.
"Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.": This is the heart of her problem. She is deeply in debt, likely due to her husband's inability to provide for the family before his death and or his own death. The creditor is enforcing the debt by claiming her children as slaves. This was a legal, albeit harsh, practice in ancient Israel (see Leviticus 25:39-55). She is about to lose not just her financial stability, but also her children and their freedom.
In summary, this verse portrays a desperate woman, a widow of a God-fearing prophet, facing the imminent loss of her children to slavery due to debt. She appeals to Elisha, hoping that his reputation, power, and compassion will intervene on her behalf. This sets the stage for the miraculous event that follows, where Elisha helps her through divine intervention. The story illustrates themes of faith, divine provision, and the protection of the vulnerable.
2 kings 4:1 - Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.”
What does "2 kings 4:1" mean?
This verse introduces a story in 2 Kings 4, and it sets the scene by highlighting the woman's desperate situation and appealing to Elisha's reputation and compassion. Let's break it down:
"Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets...": This tells us the woman is associated with a prophetic community. Her husband was a member of this group, though deceased. "Sons of the prophets" were likely students or followers of established prophets like Elijah and Elisha. Being the wife of a prophet suggests she was likely accustomed to a life devoted to spiritual pursuits, not necessarily wealth or social power.
"...cried out to Elisha...": This indicates the urgency and desperation of her plea. She is appealing directly to Elisha, who was a well-known and respected prophet at this time (having succeeded Elijah). She believes he has the power and willingness to help her.
"...saying, 'Your servant my husband is dead.'": She begins by stating the obvious but crucial fact: her husband is gone. This immediately establishes her as a widow, a vulnerable status in ancient societies. The phrase "your servant" suggests respect for Elisha and acknowledges her husband's (and potentially her own) association with him and the prophetic community.
"You know that your servant feared Yahweh.": This is a critical part of her appeal. She reminds Elisha that her husband was a God-fearing man, implying that he was righteous and deserving of help. In the context of the Old Testament, fearing Yahweh meant living according to God's laws and demonstrating piety. This establishes the family's moral standing and aims to elicit Elisha's sympathy and assistance.
"Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.": This is the heart of her problem. She is deeply in debt, likely due to her husband's inability to provide for the family before his death and or his own death. The creditor is enforcing the debt by claiming her children as slaves. This was a legal, albeit harsh, practice in ancient Israel (see Leviticus 25:39-55). She is about to lose not just her financial stability, but also her children and their freedom.
In summary, this verse portrays a desperate woman, a widow of a God-fearing prophet, facing the imminent loss of her children to slavery due to debt. She appeals to Elisha, hoping that his reputation, power, and compassion will intervene on her behalf. This sets the stage for the miraculous event that follows, where Elisha helps her through divine intervention. The story illustrates themes of faith, divine provision, and the protection of the vulnerable.